Eastbound to Ottawa

May 10, 2007
Ottawa, ON

Steve left Golden, BC on May 5th, with his female Black Labrador Retriever, Duchess, in the cab of his Cummins diesel powered 1988 Dodge pickup truck. He had hoped one of the major auto companies would donate the use of a new truck for the trip. He also wanted a new horse trailer and approaches were made to a number of manufacturers. Neither happened.

Steve was hauling a home-built 5th-wheel 4 horse trailer with his quarter horse, Dash, on-board. He stopped along the way to pick up supplies and three more horses. Errin Weigel of Prairie Majik Arabians sent two of her young prized Arabians for Steve to train and use on the Ride. Brandy and Flint would make excellent endurance mounts. Errin also sent another Arabian foal with Steve, to be delivered to Blind River. Errin has also donated an Arabian foal to be drawn by a rider who rides with us.

Along the way, Steve gave a ride to a young man from Calgary to Regina. In Regina, Steve met Christine Nickel who was travelling to St. John, NB. Christine was very helpful with the horses and was good company on the eastbound trip. On May 10th, Steve left Blind River, ON, heading to Ottawa. I left Sarnia, ON to meet Steve in Ottawa.

The rendezvous was successful and we were accommodated by the Rideau Carleton Raceway overnight. The horses each had a stall and I set up a tent for Steve and I. Christine slept in the truck. We ate at the racetrack drivers' cafeteria.